WATERLOO, ON – Three decades after the opening of Brick Brewery in Waterloo ushered in the first wave of modern microbreweries in Ontario, the city is finally home to a craft brewery from the current wave, with last week’s official launch of Innocente Brewing.

Founded by Steven Innocente – an avid homebrewer who decided to end his two decade career as a cancer scientist to start up a brewery – the self-named company will focus on hop-forward ales that will be available primarily on draught and cask at pubs throughout Southern Ontario.

Innocente debuted with two ales – Innocente Bystander, a 4% abv and 125 IBU pale ale that was originally a flagship brand during Innocente’s 2012-13 run as a contract brewer in Scotland; and Innocente Fling, a 5.7% abv golden ale that features “trans-Atlantic infusion of UK Challenger and US Mt Hood hops.”

Innocente beers are currently on tap at select restaurants and bars in the Waterloo area, including The Bent Elbow and Beertown. See the Innocente Facebook page and Twitter feed for announcements of additional licensees and future beer releases.